SDC facilitated a community dialogue on the critical issue of road safety with Mr. Piyush Tewari of Savelife Foundation and Dr. Madhur Uniyal from AIIMS Rishikesh.
Typically two main factors, the driver's fault and overloading, are considered in the investigation of road accidents, but this simplistic approach may not capture the true causes. The condition of the vehicle, road and accident site also play significant roles. A more scientific investigation of every accident is crucial not only to identify the real causes but also to prevent future accidents.
Mr. Tewari highlighted that the average death toll in road accidents in Uttarakhand per 100 accidents is much higher than the national average. While the national average is 26 deaths in 100 accidents, in Uttarakhand, this number ranges from 60 to 70. It is essential to move beyond the mindset that blames the driver for every accident, acknowledging that even skilled drivers can make mistakes. He emphasized the need for a scientific investigation and the adoption of a safe system approach to prevent accidents and related deaths.
Dr. Madhur Uniyal pointed out that road accidents often claim lives of people in their productive age, causing harm not only to their families but also to society. Despite the common belief that Uttarakhand has the highest number of deaths due to disasters, road accidents contribute significantly to the mortality rate in the state. He presented statistics indicating that Uttarakhand ranks high in deaths of productive-age individuals across the country, with road accidents being a major contributor.
SDC Founder Anoop Nautiyal addressed the alarming increase in road accidents in Uttarakhand. Over the last 5 years, approximately 7 thousand road accidents have occurred in the state, resulting in about 5 thousand deaths and an equal number of injuries. He suggested that improving the primary healthcare system could reduce the number of deaths due to accidents in the state.
Watch the full conversation below on our YouTube channel.
